Denton-olsen Recount Confirms Differences Few

Differences Are Far Clearer In Denton-stearns Conflict

Throughout the Democratic primary campaign for the 6th Congressional District, analysts kept noting that there weren't many differences between Phil Denton and Richard Olsen.

Even the last names of the men who wanted to unseat U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, sounded the same - two syllables ending in ''en'' or ''on.''

Voters agreed with the assessment Tuesday night in one of Florida's closest elections. State elections officials completed an unofficial recount Friday, with Denton holding onto the win by 229 votes, seven fewer than the first count.

Although the numbers won't become official until Tuesday, Denton drew 24,852 votes to Olsen's 24,623.

''I think what the results say is, for whatever reason, our race didn't get a lot of exposure,'' said Denton, the 42-year-old Gainesville businessman, who expected to win by more.

Making his first bid for public office, Denton knows now that he's going to need a lot of exposure to unseat Stearns, who is expected to outspend him 1,000 to 1.

Denton's only assurance this time around is that differences between him and Stearns, one of President Bush's most ardent supporters, are much clearer.

The Democrat will stick to his platform of promoting women's and children's issues, such as prenatal care, day care and preschool eligibility. Stearns is expected to emphasize health care, congressional reform and the budget.

Denton isn't worried that he raised only $500 in the first leg of the campaign. Stearns has $170,000 so far.

Denton shouldn't expect any support from his party colleague and primary opponent, Olsen. The 67-year-old Oklawaha resident is bitter about his loss, but more angry over the exchanges the two candidates had during the primary.

Near the end of the campaign, there were accusations about marital status, military service, citizenship and residency. Olsen said he will support Stearns, whom he called ''a more honorable man.''

The 6th Congressional District includes eight counties: Union, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Putnam, Marion and Lake. Lake voters make up 29 percent of the district.

The Lake recount numbers changed only slightly. Denton received two more votes to the 4,372 first counted on Tuesday night, while Olsen picked up one more vote than the 4,270 credited to him.